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Preventing car theft

Car thieves are becoming increasingly organized and, in a few seconds, can have your vehicle taken far away.

Bear in mind that criminals will choose an easy target. By following the steps below you can make it difficult for a criminal to steal your car.

Close all windows and lock all doors and the boot (trunk), even if you only leave your car for a moment.

Never leave your vehicle running unattended.

Where possible, park in a well-lit highly visible area, preferably off the road. At night, choose secure or well-lit car parks, with pedestrian traffic. Avoid leaving your vehicle in a car park for a long time.

Try to park the vehicle with the front facing an obstacle. Turn the wheels towards the kerb and lock the steering.

Always try to use all protection you have on the vehicle. Put all labels for protection devices in a visible place (do not display your GPS label).

Disable the vehicle using a starter interrupt switch ("kill switch"). Installation is not expensive.

Use VIN etching. This chemically etches the Vehicle Identification Number or registration number on the windows of your vehicle which is an effective deterrent for thieves. "Chop shops" (places where stolen cars are disassembled to be sold for parts) thrive on vehicles that have easily removable VINs or no etching at all.

If you leave the vehicle for a longer period, take off the fuses, or disconnect the power supply, after consultation with your mechanic service.

These precautions should be taken even if your car is in your garage. Also close all access to the garage (entry barriers) and the garage door itself.

Never leave your keys with car park employees or in car wash services.

Never mark your keys with your name and address. Mark them with your business name and suburb or driver's license number.

At your home, do not leave keys lying around on tables, desks or key hooks.

Remove registration papers from your motor vehicle, to make it difficult for the thief to sell it on the black market.